How well does President Obama’s National Security Strategy reflect NETWORK’s concerns about Afghanistan?

The National Security Strategy recognizes the danger and risk that lies in Afghanistan, and most encouragingly, notes that “success requires a broad, sustained, and integrated campaign.”  While NETWORK appreciates the document’s acknowledgment of “soft” power, NETWORK urges the president and Congress to develop a more specific transition plan that relies on local economic development. In fiscal year 2009, military funding in Afghanistan outstripped non-military engagement funding by an 18 to 1 ratio, showing that the programs most likely to engender peace in Afghanistan remain underfunded.